O’otham New Year Celebration in District 6
Jeston Morris
Gila River Indian News
The District 6 Recreation Department hosted their First Annual O’otham New Year Celebration at the Komatke Learning Center on June 20.
Over 200 GRIC Community members attended the O’otham New Year Celebration. Whitney Sharpe, recreation coordinator, and Eliana Rhodes, recreation aide, delivered welcome remarks and introduced the singing groups throughout the evening. The celebration concluded with a gift dance.
The first performance was Aarick Mack, from the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, who was joined by Lane Enos. Michelle Mercado, Community member from District 7, led a group of bird dancers in the first session.
“Cultural celebration brings people together. Thank you for inviting me to be part of the O’otham New Year celebration,” said Mercado.
“Bird singing is part of the Yuman tribal culture. The bird songs have stories such as the origin and creation of the Yuman tribes. The bird songs are sung for many different occasions ranging from burials and wakes to social dance songs. “I’ll be singing social songs to celebration the O’otham New Year,” said Mack.
Terrance Peters, cultural director at the Boys & Girls Club of the Gila River Indian Community, led his singing group, Xvik A’an, for the celebration. “Our group name, Xvik A’an, means Two Feathers. Xvik means ‘two’ in Pee Posh and A’an means ‘feathers’ in O’otham,” said Peters.
The Xvik A’an wore matching black ribbon shirts. The group includes Jalen Peters, Russel Ringlero, David Andrews, Joseph White, Zaidin Enos, and Kevin Ringlero.
“The drum is constructed out of a cardboard covered with black duct tape. The drumsticks are made from arrow weed sticks,” Peters explained.
In the latter evening, Chi’Chino Spirit joined the Xvik A’an. They wore matching white ribbon shirts. The combined group had 14 singers. They sang social celebration songs throughout the evening. Community members danced in a circular fashion around the group.
According to Rhodes, a gift dance has gifts such as traditional clothing, household cleaning products, handkerchiefs and scarves. An individual who wants a gift danced with the lady who held the gift. The individual receives the gift at the end of the dance.
“We are going to get started with our give away. If any ladies would like to help with the giveaway, please come to the table, we need all the help we can get. During a gift dance, the men will sing and the ladies will dance with the gift. After one round, an audience member can choose a gift and he/she can dance with the lady,” said Rhodes.
According to Sharpe, the Recreation Department purchased some of the gifts. Renelda Blackwater and Teresa Giff made and donated traditional dresses and ribbon shirts. Harlan Barehand donated scarves and clothing. Community members also donated gifts.
“I’m so happy for the O’otham New Year. Right when the group started singing, I teared up and started crying because my prayers are answered. The new year celebration energy is powerful. I want to thank all of you for being here tonight. We are having a blessed new year celebration,” said LaVerne Jackson, Community elder.
